HOLMES BEACH – City leaders are working to keep property taxes as low as possible despite property values increasing an estimated 11.8%. To do that, they’re planning to keep the millage rate at 2.05 mills for the coming fiscal year and cut expenses from the proposed 2024-25 fiscal year budget.
City Treasurer Cindy Dunham-Tozer presented the proposed budget to commissioners and Mayor Judy Titsworth during a July 9 budget work session. The total budget is estimated to break even at $24,750,162 including $11,007,006 in reserves and carryover. The total represents a cut of $742,676 from the current year’s budget.
Outlining some of the larger expenses for the year, she said that all the city’s insurance rates were increased by providers by an average of 5% with a 40% increase in flood insurance. Dunham-Tozer added that $322,000 also was set aside to purchase an algae harvester boat. Another $100,000 is planned to be set aside for unplanned attorney fees and court costs. She also noted that business in the city’s building department, which is designed to be self-sustaining from permit and inspection fees, is expected to slow over the next fiscal year.
MAYOR AND COMMISSION
The total mayor and commission budget for 2024-25 is expected to top out at $261,779, an increase of $2,414 over the current year. The primary reason for the increase is an additional $2,214 in mayoral and commission pay and accompanying payroll taxes. A $200 increase in utility services is also expected.
GENERAL GOVERNMENT
The general government budget, including the city clerk’s office, treasurer and human resources department, shows a modest increase of $87,575 to a total of $2,032,900. Though minor increases are noted in line items including postage, software and employee recognitions, the largest increase is $31,659 in employee insurance.
POLICE DEPARTMENT
The Holmes Beach Police Department’s budget is anticipated to come in at $5,485,088 for the year, an increase of $829,631 over the current year, though $225,000 of that amount is scheduled to come from reserves to purchase three vehicles. In recent years, city leaders opted to switch from leasing vehicles for the police department to purchasing them, potentially allowing for a longer lifespan for the use of the vehicles. The city is eligible to purchase three of the remaining eight vehicles from the lease term, eliminating the need for brand-new vehicles. Another big-ticket item is employee insurance, which is anticipated to increase by $142,033. Employee compensation shows a $290,786 increase along with a $55,000 increase in required overtime.
BUILDING DEPARTMENT
The building department’s budget is expected to come to $1,568,496 total, a $375,183 increase over the current year. An estimated $235,805 of the increase is expected in employee compensation with a $73,058 increase in employee insurance and $5,000 for the purchase of a drone.
PUBLIC WORKS
Coming out at $4,072,583, the city’s public works department budget is showing a proposed increase of $656,981 for the 2024-25 fiscal year. Much of that increase is due to pulling $307,000 toward the purchase of an algae harvester boat, $120,000 for the purchase of two pickup trucks and increases in employee insurance and compensation.
CODE COMPLIANCE
Where the city really saw some cost savings is in the code compliance department, where the planned budget dropped by $281,551 to a total of $620,594. The largest decrease is in employee compensation, which dropped $199,365 due to 50% of the code compliance staff transferring to the building department.
